The following remarks were shared by Dr. Jean Hall as she accepted the office of president during the Oregon Veterinary Conference in Corvallis. She is the Association’s 91st president and is a Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Physiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University.

Smallbatch Pets Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of frozen dog duckbatch sliders due to their potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The potentially affected lots of dog duckbatch sliders were distributed to retail pet food stores in Oregon, California, Washington and Colorado. Eighty cases of this product were sold between the dates of 2/23/16 – 3/10/16.

With the dynamic nature of healthcare costs, insurance, and employee benefits continuing to burden families and businesses, more people are turning to strategies like Health Savings Accounts as a possible solution to rising expenses. Because of the Affordable Care Act, most people now have access to more healthcare options than before; but understanding how those options work can be very difficult. By learning the basics of these plans, an individual or practice manager may better understand the potential benefits to their family or clinic.

At ceremonies held during the 2016 Oregon Veterinary Conference in Corvallis, the OVMA honored several individuals for their service to the veterinary profession. The Awards of Excellence are given annually to deserving people and organizations.

Each year, the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association and the Animal Health Foundation of Oregon honor animals who, through unselfish and courageous accomplishments, exemplify the affection, loyalty, security, public service, and value of the human-animal bond.

February is National Pet Dental Health month. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem affecting adult dogs and cats. Nearly 80% of all dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal (gum) disease.

The FDA notified Carnivore Meat Company that one of samples collected, tested positive for Salmonella, bacteria commonly associated with fresh and frozen poultry, in human and in pet products. The company has received no complaints or reports of illness. No other product manufactured by Carnivore is involved in this voluntary recall.

Stella & Chewy's is voluntarily recalling four of its products sold in the U.S. and Canada due to concerns of a possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The recall affects a total of 990 cases (964 cases in the U.S and 26 cases in Canada).

In mid-October the AVMA held its third economic summit in Chicago, where a lineup of economists and others revealed a look at the profession’s economic health. Glenn Kolb, OVMA executive director, attended this year’s program. Over the course of the day, there was a mix of good signals and concerns for the veterinary profession.

Bravo Pet Foods of Manchester, CT is recalling a select lot of Bravo Chicken Blend diet for dogs & cats with a best used by date of 11/13/16 due to concerns of the possible presence of Salmonella. Out of an abundance of caution, Bravo is also recalling three additional items that did not test positive for Salmonella, but were manufactured on the same day.

Blue Buffalo Company is voluntarily recalling one production lot of Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chews Bones. This is being done in an abundance of caution, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed starting November 19, 2015 in PetSmart stores located in the following 9 states: California, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

CHS Inc. announced today it has implemented a voluntary recall of 50-pound packages of its Kountry Buffet 14% Text and Provider 15% Pellet, both for Mature Cattle, Horses, Goats & Sheep due to excessive levels of copper. The recalled products were manufactured in September 2015 and October 2015 at CHS Inc.'s Harrisburg, Ore., feed mill and distributed to 42 customers in Oregon and Washington.

Halo, Purely for Pets has initiated a limited, voluntary recall of its Spot’s Stew Sensitive Cat Turkey kibble with a Best By date of 09/04/2016 due to reports of mold. No other Halo products are affected.

Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. is voluntarily recalling a limited production of Blue Kitty Yums Chicken Recipe Cat Treats that may contain low levels of propylene glycol, which is not permitted by the FDA for use in cat food.

Approval of new animal drugs is important to veterinary medicine, and the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association supports the research and development by veterinary companies to bring such products to the marketplace.